$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 75

2 - JAIN PATH OF LIBERATION
Path of Liberation - Jain Trinity One can detach from one's karma and attain liberation by understanding the true nature of the soul and other reality, and having a total conviction in this knowledge. By acquiring such knowledge, he removes ignorance about his own nature. He realizes that he is not a physical body, but he is a pure soul. Pure soul does not have anger, ego, deceit, or greed. These are the impurities he has acquired because of his actions (past karma). He needs to remove these impurities through understanding and awareness. This can be achieved by following the path of Right Conviction or Faith (Samyag-Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyag-Jnän), and Right Conduct (Samyak-Charitra). This integrated trinity determines the spiritual path.
Samyag-Darshan and Samyag-Jnän Jainism states that the proper knowledge of reality includes the six universal substances and the nine tattvas which covers the doctrine of Soul and Karma. This Knowledge provides the proper understanding of the nature of all substances in the universe as they are. The rationale and total conviction in this knowledge is called Right Faith. When faith is based on knowledge from experience, it becomes unshakable. Once a person has the Right Conviction then all his knowledge is considered Right or rational Knowledge.
Qualities of Samyag Darshan There are five internal qualities or "Lakshana" of Samyag Darshan, which we can introspect and see whether these qualities are present in ourselves.
1 Astikya True Faith in Religion 2 Anukampä Empathy towards all living beings
Nirveda Realize that World is full of sorrow
Only remaining Kashaya called desire is left to eliminate for Liberation
4
Samvega
Feeling of detachment towards worldly objects and relationships
Upasham
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JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING